The Society of Saint Gregory the Great is a membership association of Catholic laity formed in 2008 to promote divine worship in accordance with the Supreme Magisterium of the Church. The Society has its own schola cantorum, and regularly sponsors presentations and workshops on the Sacred Liturgy, Gregorian chant, and sacred polyphony.

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

November: Praying for the Dead

It’s still November, and it’s still an especially good time to pray for the dead!

It’s a good time to get in the habit of praying for the dead on a daily basis, and not just in November. There are some nice traditional prayers to pray for the dead each day of the week. Go hereto access them.

Here are some interesting excerpts from a couple of other blogs – be sure to go and read the whole post at the link provided.

In the month of November, it is fitting that we think on the poor souls in purgatory. While it is a matter of faith that the saints can pray for us, and likewise that we can pray for the poor souls, there is no little question as to whether the souls in purgatory can pray for us. While there is much popular devotion today – which seems also to be supported by the experiences of certain more recent saints (for example, St. Pio) – by which the faithful invoke the intercessory power of the holy souls, it is good to recognize that the majority of the tradition is decidedly against this possibility.

Granting that nearly every Church Doctor has either implicitly or even explicitly held that the poor souls cannot pray for us, is there any ground for imploring their intercession?

Every day, people do heroic acts to help others. Firemen rescue people from burning buildings. Police rescue victims from their persecutors. Missionaries deliver food, clothing and education to the poor. Yet, one of the greatest areas of need remains ignored: The fate of the poor souls.

Purgatory is a fact. Catholics are REQUIRED to accept Purgatory as a dogma of their faith.

You never hear it preached? It's still there.

You don't like to think about it? It's still there.

How can a merciful and loving God permit such a thing?

HOW COULD HE NOT?

…

Here’s the De Profundis – the traditional psalm/prayer said for the dead (from Fish Eaters)

Out of the Depths / De Profundis

English version:

Latin version:

Out of the depths have I cried unto Thee, O Lord: Lord hear my voice.

De profúndis clamávi ad te, Dómine: Dómine, exáudi vocem meam.

Let Thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication.

Fiant aures tuae intendéntes: in vocem deprecationes meae.

If Thou, Lord, shouldst mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?

Si iniquitátes observaveris, Dómine: Dómine, quis sustinébit.

But there is forgiveness with Thee: because of Thy law I wait for Thee, O Lord.